ADLUNITE: Round 17 Feature

This week we feature Michael Marrone in our match day programme, ADLUNITE. To read the full piece, make sure you get a copy at #ADLvNEW!

Mr Consistent

Ask any of the experts, self-proclaimed or actual proven specialists, and they’ll agree that consistency is key in football. Making it to the top isn’t as easy as showing brilliance just once and, if it were, the professional footballing world would be of a horrible quality.

To perform at a high level regularly takes far more than just skills with a ball at your feet. At the end of the day, let’s face it, anyone can master a basic double step-over and anyone can pull off a rabona assist at least once in a thousand tries.

What differentiates the boys from the men, the girls from the women, the try-hards from the true champions, is simple.

You can’t expect people to take notice of you and hold such a vested interest in your football if what you produce is a one-off.

Consistency is key.

Whether you’re a ‘keeper or a holding midfielder, a fullback or a striker, the performances you deliver on game day must be high in quality far more often than substandard mediocrity. If you are regularly able to make a significant and positive impact on a football match, your efforts will be noticed.

You have to understand, though, this type of quality isn’t like some idea that’s ignited in one’s mind for a split second before being extinguished with all trace of it is lost forever. This type of quality is a footballing theory that is elaborated upon, one that consistency can prove.

Of course, consistency isn’t easy to come by, but for those that are able to harness it, fruitful rewards are reaped.

Look at someone like Michael Marrone, for example; every single game is his last, every single game is the one that will define his career.

No second chances. It’s now or never.

This mentality breeds consistency. It’s a willingness to do right by one’s teammates and for Marrone, it’s come in a more advanced role for the Reds this term.

“We have a system that allows certain movements depending on the positioning of our teammates,” Marrone said. “It’s a bit technical to explain, but it’s extremely beneficial for us.

“If one fullback pushes up, you’ll see the other holds his line and knows his place with the centre backs. I could be pushed up as high as our offensive 18-yard-box and that’s no problem with my teammates or Guillermo.

“I’m wanting to provide more for my teammates in attack and want to be more consistent from wider positions on the pitch, providing crosses, which is something I’m working on.

“We’re given this freedom going forward and we’re really being encouraged to explore it.”

The full version of this feature is available exclusively in the ADLUNITE match day programme available at the game between Adelaide United and Newcastle Jets.

Adelaide United will face Newcastle Jets in Round 17 of the Hyundai A-League 2015/16 season on Sunday, 31 January at Coopers Stadium. Kick-off is at 4.30pm ACDT.